Portland Therapy Center
Michael Ianello

Michael Ianello (he/him/his)

Licensed Professional Counselor

LPC

I work with adults seeking relief from anxiety, depression, loneliness, harsh self-criticism, and/or interpersonal conflict.

Client Status

accepting clients

Contact

971-236-1499

5404 N Montana Ave

Portland, 97217

Email Website

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $125-$160

Provides free initial consultation

Provides telehealth services

Practicing Since: 2017

Languages: English

Services

  • Individual
  • Group

Insurances Accepted

  • Out of Pocket
  • Out of Network
  • PacificSource
  • Providence Health Plan

My Ideal Client

I work well with clients who are experiencing anxiety-based disorders (generalized anxiety, social phobias, relational issues). I have knowledge and experience working with mood disorders, ADHD, intimate relationship issues, sudden life change (loss of job, big move, end of relationship). I am happy to work with people who are new to therapy as well as those who have "tried it all".

My Background and Approach

I help clients reduce their anxiety and develop strategies to reduce suffering. I am direct, with a light touch, to ensure both comfort and authentic connection are achieved in every session. Through the development of renewed vitality, curiosity, and joy, my clients rediscover core life values; learn and develop concrete skills to find relief from sticky or painful thoughts; cultivate empathy; connect compassionately, and deeply, with their own true heart. I have worked in the developmental and mental health fields as an educator, researcher, and counselor for over 15 years. I have a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Professional Mental Health Counseling. I have received professional training in DBT, ACT, and mindfulness based behavioral interventions as well as depth focused, process oriented modalities.

My Values as a Therapist

The core values of my practice are: safety, honesty, and curiosity. A feeling of safety and confidentiality is paramount to the profound work of self-discovery that occurs in a therapeutic practice. I seek to model honesty, directness, and vulnerability with clients so that they can experience the unique freedoms that arise from honest and open dialogue. Cultivating curiosity can provide relief from rote ways of thinking or perceiving. A simple practice of reframing an issue, might provide tremendous relief from unnecessary suffering. I value diversity and strive to treat all clients with dignity and respect, no matter their beliefs or background. I also commit my time away from work to health care reform and community mental health outreach with the hopes that quality mental health care is no longer out of anyone's reach due to social, cultural, or financial position

Techniques I Use

Specialties

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) External link

    ACT has two basic principles for therapist and client to follow. One, accept that we have unwelcome thoughts sometimes and that these thoughts are out of our control. Two, commit to a life which is focused on core values defined by you. In other words, "Embrace your imperfections and learn how to trust that you know what's best." ACT is a research and evidence based approach which has been shown to assist with the following: Anxiety, Depression, Social Insecurity, Perfectionism, ADHD and more.

  • Existential External link

    I have a background in existential philosophy and psychology. Discovering deeper meaning by confronting the difficult questions that arise from the unique nature of the human condition. What does it mean to be alive? How do my choices define me? How can I live a life committed to action and purpose? How can I embrace my failures and celebrate my success?

  • Psychodynamic  External link

    Many fields in psychology today draw on the rich history and research that psychodynamic modalities have been developing for the better part of the last 100 years. Studying this broad and rich tradition inspires me to maintain curiosity around: awareness of self; relationships with others; relationship with society; relationship with nature. Seeing one's self as part of a vast, ever changing system can provide deep insight into who we are as individuals.

Issues I Treat

Specialties

  • Anxiety External link

    I specialize in working with people who are experiencing anxiety-based disorders (generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic attacks, phobias). I assist clients in developing a deeper sense of meaning through the investigation of patterns of suffering. Stop feeling paralyzed in your thinking and your life, break free from constantly second guessing yourself and learn what it takes to trust others as well as yourself.

  • Personal Growth External link

    Who decides how your life is going to develop? Taking back ownership over the direction of our growth can be a vital and powerful tool in becoming who we've always wanted to be. Take stock of your life and learn what it takes to become who you truly are.

  • Depression External link

    How do you experience your depression? What impact does it have on your life? Everyone gets down sometimes but what do we do when we feel like our melancholy is bottomless? What if your depression had a place to emerge, had a place to be seen without judgement? Would the way you experience it change? How might you change if it did? I will work with you to answer these questions and help you deepen your own understanding of how you can cultivate and sustain renewed vitality.

Contact Michael

Optional note (300 character limit). Please do not include sensitive medical information.